Sunday

Offshore fishing in the Pacific
ocean for billfish, tuna, mahi-mahi, and other pelagic species offers
some of the most spectacular experiences you can have. From the
Pacific Coast of South America, Mexico, California, all the way to
Alaska, the Pacific Ocean offers many varied habitats for different
species of pelagic pugilists. There are so many different types of
fishing that you can do in the Pacific that it is hard to generalize,
but there are some general Pacific Ocean fishing tips that you may
find helpful no matter what you are fishing for.

Most Pacific Salmon are caught
trolling. But the Pacific can be rough at times, so be sure the boat
you go out in is at least 20' long, with an offshore hull. One of
the best rigs for trolling is using a Limit Out rig with herring, or
anchovies. The Limit Out rig is a harness with a spinner on the
front that drives salmon bananas. Another good rig is an umbrella,
or spider rig.

Big-Game fishing for species like
Blue and Black Marlin are going to involve the use of a charter
boat. You want a Captain and crew that are experienced with catching
billfish, not tuna. Billfish are somewhat dangerous, and require
special handling. Don't be afraid to ask to tour the boat
beforehand, and check for proper safety equipment, see if they keep
the boat clean, and in good order, etc....It's not a bad idea to ask
for references, and contact some of their previous customers before
you go out with them.

For Yellowfin Tuna (Ahi) is a
spreader rig that allows you to troll 5 to 7 jigs side-by-side, to
imitate a small school of fleeing baitfish. Another good rig is
Daisy-Chain, that allows you to run several lures, one behind the
other.

One of the best halibut lures is a
new one from Fishcracker Baits called the 'But-Cracker'. It consists
of a squid-like jig with two metal heads. You simply drop the rig
straight down to the bottom, then reel it up about 2 feet. Now, just
jiggle the rod tip every so often. This causes the two metal heads
to bang against each other, creating a 'clacking' sound that draws
in halibut from great distances.

When you hook a dorado
(Mahi-Mahi), don't be too quick to pull it from the water. It's
struggles will draw other dorados to the fight, and you can catch
several on other rods. Leave it in the water and let it struggle for
a bit.

Pacific Deep-Sea fishing can be
the trip of a lifetime, especially if you take the time to learn a
few Pacific ocean fishing tips, before you go.